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Council hears concerns about police staffing and waiting-area access as city advances new public-safety facility project
Summary
A commenter and council members raised concerns about understaffing, overtime, and access to the current police station; staff updated council on the public-safety facility design, conditional-use permit timing, and plans for a traditional waiting area in the new building.
During public comment, a resident said the current police station is often locked and criticized administration for not following prior council direction to hire two officers; he argued overtime levels are unsustainable and harm officer well-being and public safety.
Council and staff responded: the chief and staff said the front door is locked because records/property-evidence workroom staffing often leaves the front desk unattended; the department uses a blue-call box to summon staff, and staff said adequate staffing would allow an unlocked public waiting area. Council reiterated the need for a staffing study (last done in 2012) and asked staff to pursue a study by the end of Q1 to guide future budgeting and hiring decisions.
On facility planning, the city administrator and staff said the property for the new public-safety facility has been vacated, a conditional-use permit for the police station is on a near-term planning commission agenda, and preliminary renderings and site design are progressing with attention to security and waiting-area layout.
Ending: Council asked staff to seek a staffing study and to continue design work and conditional-use permitting for the new public-safety facility; there was no formal personnel or budget action in the work session.
